Cem: Turkey Has To Increase Number Of Turkish Soldiers In Northern Iraq

ANKARA - New Turkey Party Leader and former Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Tuesday that Turkey had to increase the number of its soldiers in Northern Iraq in order to protect its own people.
Cem paid a courtesy visit to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul the same day and wished him success in his post.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Cem said that Turkey had to first of all take into consideration its own interests and to prevent the aims of those who want to start terrorism problem again for Turkey.
Cem said that Turkey was in Northern Iraq for self defense and within the scope of the international law, adding that ''this presence of Turkey should not be made issue of debate.''
Stressing that the aim of Turkey to send soldiers to the region is not for occupation purpose, Cem said that the statements of certain American and European officials who opposed that were very improper.
(ÖS-AÖ) 25.03.2003